Ulnar nerve entrapment treatment in Türkiye

What is ulnar nerve entrapment?

Ulnar nerve entrapment occurs when excessive pressure is placed on the ulnar nerve. The ulnar nerve goes from the shoulder to the little finger. It is located near the surface of the skin, so it is not well protected by muscles and bones. This makes him more vulnerable to stress.

 There are other names for ulnar nerve entrapment, depending on where the injury occurred:

• cubital tunnel syndrome refers to entrapment of the elbow
• Ulnar tunnel syndrome refers to an entrapment of the wrist

The cubital tunnel syndrome is one of the most common types of ulnar nerve impingement.

The most common location for ulnar nerve entrapment is on the inside of the elbow, under a bone spur known as the epicondyle.

What are the symptoms of ulnar nerve entrapment?

The ulnar nerve transmits sensation to the pinky and ring fingers, so the symptoms appear in the hand. It may come and go throughout the day or get worse at night. The actual symptoms depend on the location of the infection.

Symptoms of elbow entrapment

Ulnar nerve entrapment in the elbow sometimes causes aching pain on the inside of the elbow.

Symptoms in the hand include:

• Loss of sensation in the pinky and ring fingers
• Weak grip
• The feeling of pins and needles
• Trouble moving the fingers

In advanced cases, it can also cause:

• Muscle wasting in the hand or forearm
• A claw-like deformity in the pinky finger

Symptoms of entrapment of the ulna

An entrapped ulna usually causes symptoms only in the hand, including:

• pain
• weakness
• Khadr
• Tingling in the pinky and ring fingers
• Weak grip
• Trouble moving the fingers

What causes ulnar nerve entrapment?

Several things can put pressure on the ulnar nerve. In some cases, there is no clear cause.

Many cases are caused by repetitive arm or hand movements. And other things can cause it, too. These generally depend on the site of injury.

Causes of elbow entrapment

Flexion of the ulna causes the ulnar nerve to stretch. This causes irritation as the nerve stretches and slides back and forth behind the protrusion of the “condylar bone“. If the ulna is kept flexed for long periods, or a person sleeps with the second elbow, the irritation becomes painful.

Bending the elbow increases pressure on the area prone to entrapment, about 20 times more than keeping it at rest.

Movements that contribute to ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow include:

• Driving with a bent elbow
• Holding the phone close to the ear for long periods of time
• Leaning on the desk with the elbow for long periods
• Exposing the elbow to an unstable position for a long time

Other possible causes include:

• The presence of a cyst in the elbow
• A previous injury to the elbow
• Fluid buildup and swelling after an injury
• Arthritis of the elbow

Causes of entrapment of the ulna

The most common cause of entrapment in the ulna is a benign cyst on the wrist joint . As the cyst grows, it can lead to increased pressure on the nerve.

Other possible causes include:

• Repetitive activity at work, such as using a jackhammer or hammer
• Repetitive sports activity, such as squeezing a hand on a bicycle handlebar or swinging a golf club.

Who is at risk of ulnar nerve entrapment?

Several things can increase the risk of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow or wrist. These include:

• diabetic
• Obesity
• Autoimmune
• Thyroid
• high blood pressure
• pregnancy

Are there any exercises that can help the patient?

Some simple nerve gliding exercises can provide relief. The exercises work to help stretch the ulnar nerve. Just be sure to check with your doctor first. Because he may instead refer the patient to a physical therapist to develop a suitable exercise for him.

And if pain is felt when doing these exercises, you should talk to your doctor or physical therapist. Applying ice to the injured area before exercising may be helpful.

Exercises for entrapment of the ulnar nerve at the elbow

Exercise 1

• Start by extending the arm straight and palm up.
• Bend the fingers inward.
• Bend the elbow with the fist raised towards the shoulder.
• Return to the starting position.
• The exercise should be repeated 3 to 5 times, 2 to 3 times a day.

exercise 2

• Extend arms out to the side at shoulder level, palms facing the floor.
• Bend the hand upwards, and pull the fingers toward the ceiling
• Bend the elbow and pull the hand towards the shoulders.
• Repeat the exercise slowly 5 times.

Exercises for entrapment of the ulnar nerve at the wrist

Exercise 1

• Stand up straight with the arm out to the side.
• Raise the injured arm and place the palm on the forehead.
• Hold the wrist with the hand for a few seconds, then slowly lower the hand.
• Repeat the exercise several times a day, with a gradual increase in the number of repetitions in each session.

exercise 2

• Standing or sitting upright with the arm extended straight forward and the palm facing up.
• Bend the wrist and fingers towards the body.
• Bend the hand away from the body to gently extend the wrist.
• Bend the elbow and then raise the hand up.
• The exercise was repeated several times a day, with a gradual increase in the number of repetitions in each session.

Are there other treatments?

Exercise can provide some relief, but there are several non-surgical treatments that can relieve pain by reducing inflammation and pressure on a nerve.

If there are mild to moderate symptoms, non-surgical treatment is likely to suffice. But if the symptoms are more severe, the patient may need surgery if other treatments don’t work.

The treatment your doctor recommends depends on your symptoms and the underlying cause.

These include:

• Not resting elbows on hard surfaces
• Do not use the phone on loudspeaker or with headphones
• Avoid resting your elbow on the door while driving or riding in a car

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also provide temporary pain relief.

Ulnar nerve entrapment surgery

If exercises and nonsurgical treatments don’t help, your doctor may recommend surgery.

When recommending, the doctor will consider:

• The duration of the patient’s suffering from the symptoms of infection
• severity of symptoms
• and what causes the symptoms

Elbow entrapment surgery

Several procedures can help with ulnar nerve entrapment in the elbow.

The most important of them are the following:

• Decompression: This procedure involves widening the area through which the nerve passes.
• Anterior transfer: In this procedure, the surgeon will reposition the ulnar nerve, either by removing the epicondyle or repositioning it closer to the skin.

Both procedures are usually performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. The patient is likely to have a splint (medical brace) to immobilize the arm for the first two days. After that, physical therapy exercises will begin to restore range of motion.

Patients often start to notice some improvement within about six weeks, although it may take about a year to notice the full effects.

Ulnar impingement surgery

Most ulnar nerve compression at the wrist is usually caused by a tumor in the wrist that must be removed. This is often performed by a hand surgeon on an outpatient basis.

Once the growth is gone, an improvement in symptoms will be noticed. But the healing process can take several months. You may also need physical therapy to help restore full use of your hand and wrist joint.

Ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist is fairly rare, so there isn’t a lot of data on success rates and recovery times. A doctor can give the patient a better idea of ​​what to expect from the procedure.

How can I book for ulnar nerve entrapment treatment in Türkiye?

• Free medical support on the phone: You will have a dedicated representative for your health condition who is always ready to answer your questions.
• Free consultation with a specialist doctor: Your medical representative will consult with a number of doctors and hospitals to find the best possible treatments.
• Free travel visa arrangement: We will contact the embassy in your country to assist you in obtaining a visa to visit Türkiye.
• Free itinerary planning: We will create a schedule for your medical trip to Türkiye.
• Free translation of documents and reports: We will translate medical documents and reports into Turkish on your behalf.
• Free support and monitoring: We will monitor the stages of treatment and be by your side every step of the way.
• Free instant translation: We will be with you during the treatment stages to provide translation between you and the medical team.
• Free accommodation and transportation coordination: We will book accommodation for you and your companions in Türkiye, along with transportation services.

Contact REHABTÜRK doctors for more information about the procedure and to evaluate your medical condition.

Request a Free Consultation.